Kimberly Kirklin, MA, ALC
Senior Director, UAB Arts in Medicine
Assistant Professor, UAB Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health Professions
In 2002, Kimberly began her career in arts administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB’s) Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center (ASC). It was there she learned about the importance of the arts and its impact on a well-rounded education, a tool for building and strengthening communities, and more recently, an invaluable modality to enhance healing and to improve quality of life throughout the lifespan. As the director of education and outreach at the ASC from 2005 – 2014 she played a major role in the creation of ArtPlay, the ASC’s education center, and developed programs to expand access to the arts for schools, communities, and seniors in independent and assisted living facilities. In 2013, she led an effort to expand the ASC’s reach into the healthcare community starting partnerships with Children’s Hospital of Alabama and the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders and co-created an arts in medicine pilot program at UAB Hospital. The pilot program expanded in 2014, and is now UAB Arts in Medicine (AIM), a partnership between the UAB Center for the Arts and UAB Medicine. Kimberly is a co-investigator on several arts-based research projects and a practicing associate licensed counselor. Kimberly has a BM in Musical Theatre from the University of Miami in Florida, master’s degrees in arts administration, arts in medicine, and counseling, and is currently a PhD candidate at UAB School of Public Health.
Lauren Edwards, Program Manager
Lauren earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Alabama at Birmingham while also completing coursework in Social Work. She has since pursued graduate coursework in both Social Work and Business Administration, further strengthening her interdisciplinary approach to arts, healthcare, and program leadership. Drawing on her backgrounds in the arts, artist management, and human services, Lauren joined UAB Arts in Medicine (AIM) in October of 2017 as the Program Assistant and now serves as Program Manager. In her role, Lauren oversees program operations, strategic initiatives, and community partnerships that broaden the reach and impact of Arts in Medicine across UAB and beyond. She is passionate about expanding access to the arts and believes creative experiences play a vital role in fostering health, healing, and thriving communities. Outside of AIM, Lauren remains active in Birmingham’s theatre community, where she works as a freelance stage manager.
Hon K. Yuen, OTR/L, PhD, Senior Scientist
Hon is a Professor and Director of Research in the Department of Occupational Therapy with a joint appointment in UAB Arts in Medicine (AIM), UAB. His clinical background is in occupational therapy with doctoral training in Research, Evaluation, and Measurement Methodology. He has been the principal investigator on several NIH and foundation grants studying the effects of therapeutic movement such as theater and exergame to improve physical functioning and quality of life among older adults with chronic conditions.
Melissa Turnage, Dance and Movement
Melissa has been a dance teaching artist in Georgia, Maryland and Alabama. Since moving back to Alabama nine years ago she has worked extensively in rural and city public schools, integrating dance with core curriculum. Melissa has over 40 years of experience in the dance field; performing, choreographing and teaching. Classically trained in ballet her expertise in creative movement and dance fundamentals has enabled her to teach all ages and abilities. She is currently a teaching artist for the Birmingham Board of Education and is an adjunct professor of dance at Birmingham Southern College.
Valerie Hanks, Registered Art Therapist
Valerie Hanks serves as a Registered Art Therapist for a wide range of patients and families from pediatrics and teens at Children’s of Alabama Hospital to adults at UAB Hospital. Valerie received her Master of Arts for Art Therapy with an Emphasis in Counseling at St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, IN. She received her Associates of Applied Arts Degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Houston and her Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Art Studio from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Valerie is a member of the American Art Therapy Association and the Alabama Art Therapy Association. She is passionate about art and the powerful way art can enhance a patient’s well-being as well as increase opportunities for communicating through creative processes of art making, Valerie enjoys bringing a small bit of joy through art into a patient’s life and help the patient tell a part of their story. Valerie counts it a privilege and honor to offer art therapy to patients and families, knowing this gift has the potential to continue to benefit them emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, and physically for the rest of their lives. In her personal life, Valerie finds joy in her faith, family, hiking, traveling, and connections with friends.
Haleigh Black, Musician
Haleigh Black is a Birmingham-based violinist and vocalist who has been making music since she was three. She plays everything from traditional fiddle to classical and jazz. After studying music therapy at the University of Alabama, she earned her B.A. in Music from UAB. Since 2019, she has worked with UAB Arts in Medicine as an artist-in-residence, bringing comfort and connection to patients, families, and staff through performances and guided music activities. Her love of music has taken her to Turkey, Greece, Israel, the U.K., Europe, and across the U.S., exploring how people everywhere are connected through sound. She’s a touring musician and recording artist as part of the acoustic duo Davis & Haleigh and the world music trio Vishnu, Davis & Haleigh. Ultimately, she uses music to bring people together and support well-being.
Sarah Heath MFA, LMSW, Textile & Visual Arts
Sarah Heath received her BFA from the University of Kansas, her MFA from the University of Georgia, and her MSW from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In addition to being an Artist in Residence for UAB Arts in Medicine, Sarah has been on faculty in the Department of Art and Art History at UAB since 2016 and is also a Program Therapist at Accanto Eating Disorder Recovery Centers. Both in her clinical practice and in her classroom, Sarah is a true believer in the power of art to aid in discovery and in healing and recovery. Sarah is committed to serving her community through volunteering and outreach. She has led classes, workshops, and community outreach through the arts at Birmingham Museum of Art, Children’s Hospital, UAB Hospitals, St. Vincent Hospitals, The Dance Foundation, Sloss Metal Arts, The Interfaith Hospitality House, MAKEbhm, ArtPlay, YWCA of Central Alabama, Jesse’s Place Center for Women and Children, Camp Sawyerville, aTeam Ministries, Aletheia house, First Light Shelter, Episcopal Place Senior Living and more.
Avivi Behel, Visual Artist
Avivi Behel is a professional calligrapher, hand engraver, quilter and visual artist. A self-taught artist, she has a degree in communications from Auburn University. Her work experience as a childbirth teacher/doula, in ministry, in sports and health care marketing and in the nonprofit sector, has pointed to this space and time as an artist with UAB Arts in Medicine (AIM). She is a graduate of the UAB Geriatric Scholar Program and the 2025 recipient of the Alacare-Mary Sue Beard Incentive for Excellence Award for excellence in Practice and Geriatric Care. It’s her joy to come alongside people and help them explore and create in ways they may not have thought possible. She finds inspiration in the kindness of her husband, the paths blazed by her adult daughters and sons-in-law, the bliss of her first granddaughter, the majesty of creation, and almost anything made of chocolate.
Kimberly Richardson, MS, Certified Yoga Therapist
Kim’s passion is cultivating inclusive wellness spaces through yoga and other holistic modalities. She is a certified yoga therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT) and 500-hour registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. She also holds designations as a registered children’s yoga teacher (RCYT), registered prenatal yoga teacher (RPYT), certified herbalist, and sound healing practitioner. With extensive training in trauma-informed approaches and accessible yoga practices, she has a gift for engaging individuals of all abilities. Armed with a Master of Science in Urban Studies, Kim firmly believes that yoga can be a powerful tool for transforming communities and reducing health disparities. In 2024, she received the honor of being named as the international winner of IAYT’s John Kepner Seva Award for Community Service in Under Resourced Communities in recognition of her work with Alabama veterans. She currently serves as an artist for the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) Arts in Medicine (AIM) program serving children with complex needs in the Behavioral Health Unit at Children’s of Alabama, as well as patients receiving treatment at UAB’s O’Neal Cancer Center. Kim also serves as a member and officer of the Board of Trustees of the Birmingham Museum of Art.
Dr. Kira Fonbah, Dance and Movement
Kira Fonbah, MD is board-certified in General Psychiatry and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. As a mental health advocate, she strongly believes that participation in the arts helps cultivate healthy brains, minds, and souls. Her training in movement began during early childhood through competitive gymnastics and continued with cheerleading, which provided ample opportunities for her to explore and take advantage of her interest in choreography. In college, she danced with the UAB Golden Girls and served as UAB’s mascot Blaze during her senior year. She also served as a volunteer dance fitness instructor at a local community center and at a residential detention center. During her last semester of college, she took an elective in ballet—her first experience with formal dance training—and fell in love. Since then, as time has allowed, she’s taken adult dance classes offered in the community and has continued to lead dance and fitness classes at churches, health fairs, and other venues across Birmingham.
Elizabeth Cunniff, Textile and Visual Arts
Elizabeth Cunniff is a multimedia visual artist with a degree in fine arts and a minor in psychology from Louisiana State University. Her interest in the crossover of arts and health started in college, where she interned in the Arts in Medicine Program at Baton Rouge General. Much of her philosophy on art and creativity comes from her postgraduate coursework in art therapy. Elizabeth is passionate about the creative process and believes that everyone can be creative with a little bit of encouragement. She is passionate about teaching others to create in an approachable and energetic way. Elizabeth prides herself on being able to dabble in nearly every visual art form. If you can name an artform, she’s probably tried it. Her favorite mediums are painting, mixed media and collage, visual journaling, and weaving. Besides working at UAB, Elizabeth also has her own small art business and teaches art workshops, does live art events, and sells her own art online and in person.
Molly Werk, Provisional Art Therapist
Molly serves as a Provisional Art Therapist across UAB hospital and other community projects with UAB Arts in Medicine. With a Master of Science in Art Therapy from Florida State University, she provides trauma-informed art therapy which combines the creative process with evidence-based psychotherapeutic techniques. She is passionate about supporting patients in visually exploring complex emotions and experiences through art when words cannot suffice. She loves how art therapy can instill hope and reinforce resilience through the process of play and meaning-making. She has a special interest in community art therapy and social justice advocacy within her practice. Beyond Art Therapy, Molly enjoys painting, sculpting, listening to music, trying new foods, sharing stories, and exploring outside.